Am I the unreasonable one? (Long)

I am going to try to keep this as short as possible. A bit of background is that I work in a lawoffice and my firm shares space with another firm. My firm has three people, the other firm has six people. The other firm apparently likes to bring their dogs to to the office. I personally have two dogs and like dogs in general. However, I do believe that your dog does not belong in the office with you.

A couple of weeks ago, I spoke to Karen, a gal at the other firm, about her dog getting into my trash. I thought that we had a very professional conversation about it. She asked me to put my garbage on my desk, which was not an option as 1. it is gross and 2. my desk is not big enough for a garbage can as well as my work. Or that I put my garbage can on the bookshelf behind me, which is also not a option as it is full of client files. She stated that she would not bring her dog into the office again. I apologized for the issue and went and sat back at my desk.

Yesterday morning I get to the office and go about my work day. I went to the kitchen about 9:00, and heard Karen coming in. She brought her dog with her. I did not say anything.

I then went back to my desk and continued working. About ten minutes later I went to throw something in the trash by my desk. That is when I noticed that Karen had put two reams of paper over my garbage can and written â€œCheewe (her dog's name) Preventionâ€ on a post-it note. It made me very angry. She must have done it on Friday after I left for the day, as my garbage had not been emptied all weekend.

I got up from my desk and went up to Karen to speak to her. I said that was not an answer to the problem. I thought that I said it in a calm voice. She then immediately got defensive and told me right away that I was being unreasonable. That she had talked to everyone in the office, and that everyone agreed that I was the unreasonable one. (Which I know that she did not talk to my boss as he thinks dogs do not belong in the office at all, ever! Especially ill-behaved dogs).

She called me unkind and unreasonable. I told her that I was actually a very kind reasonable person and that I did not appreciate her bringing her dog to work when the dog would not stay out of the trash. I also said that it was unfair of her to expect me to cover my trash after she said that she would not bring her in. She said again that I was unreasonable and she stuck her hand up in my face and told me that she was done talking to me. I said that it was inconsiderate and that she should not have brought her dog on a day with neither my boss or her boss were available to talk about it. I told her again that I was not being unreasonable and that I thought that she was being unreasonable, and that she already said that she would not bring her in. She said that she was bringing her dog to the office long before I started working here, and she would continue long after I was gone. She again told me that she was done talking to me. The whole time I was talking to her she had a very angry tone. I felt like I was going to start crying so I walked away.

I then went into Kimâ€™s (Karen and Kim are married and work for the same attorney) office and said, â€œKim, I would appreciate it if you would keep the dog in your office today.â€ Kim looked at me and did not say anything.

Karen then stormed down the aisle way and pushed behind me yelling for Morgan, one of the attorneys who was at work yesterday, to come and talk about something. I said to her as calmly as I could that if she was done talking to me, I did not think that she should bring someone else into this. She again turned and walked away, which I did as well. I went back towards my desk, and Karen again came storming down the aisle and said in a very loud voice, â€œShe isnâ€™t talking to MY WIFE.â€ Morgan looked at her and said no she is right over there, and pointed to my desk.

I then sat down and started crying.

I hate crying at work. It is embarrassing and I am mad at myself for letting Karen make me so upset.

Morgan then came over to my desk and asked what we could do about the situation. I stated that I did not think that a dog who cannot stay out of the trash belongs in an office. That Karen should take her home. I called Karen mean, which was wrong, but too late to take it back now.

I started crying harder and Morgan told me not to call names. I said that this was unfair to me and that if I had a door I would just shut it, but seeing as I do not have a door, I am unable to close off my office space to the dog and said again that I did not think that a dog that is ill-behaved belongs at a office. I sit at one of the receptionist areas in the middle of the office. Morgan then walked away. I cried more.

Sorry this was so long, I just do not know what to do or say. Is it so unreasonable to expect to be able to come to work and work? I just want to come in and be left alone, and not have to uncover/cover my trash when I need to use it, nor do I want to have my lunch begged for. The other dogs that come to the office are not ill-behaved and I have never said anything to anyone about the fact that I do not believe dogs do not belong in an office.

Is this an unreasonable request that she keep the dog at home, or am I being unreasonable by asking?

This is the craziest work environment I have ever heard of! You are not being unreasonable and even if you were there is no reason a dog should be in the office!

I would just keep my emotions out of it from now on and let Karen be petty and such. Just tell your boss and leave it at its unprofessional and unhygenic for the dog to be snooping through your trash. period.

I had to stop halfway through. This lady brings her dog to work where OTHER people work too....and not even with her exactly, and you're wondering if you're being unreasonable because you dislike it because her dog goes to YOUR desk, gets in YOUR trash, and she is pissed?

are you in a cubicle? could you put up a baby gate? i think its very unprofessional to have animals in the office unless its a vets office. i would also speak to my boss about it and put up the baby gate in the mean time. they make them with doors built in. crazy that you would have to resort to that.